I moved out to Vegas 3 years ago from the Cleveland area. I've been exploring old mines and ghost towns the past couple years and have been hearing more and more about caves in the area's I'm going to so I decided to look into it. I had the privilege to visit Kokoweef Caverns a few months ago, they've been mining the area for years looking for the lost river of gold.

I just started rappelling about a year ago and I'm hooked!!! I've been down a few deep mine shafts and am always looking for more places to go. I got a SRT and frogging set-up with a 300' rope (11mm static). I've got the basics down, but I'd like to learn some more advanced rope work.

I've been in contact with Tom from the Southern Nevada Grotto and just joined the NSS today so I think I'm headed in the right direction.

Yeah, mines are not the same as caves. Not only are they less stable (rockfall/collapse), they can have dangerous gasses. Some kill out outright, others displace O2. I wouldn't go in abandoned mines without specific training and equipment.

FYI, the original post is from 8 months ago. And if the OP Bill or anybody else interesting in mine exploring is reading this, yes it pays to be careful in that environment. I suggest hooking up with organized mine explorers who have the right gear and know what they are doing. A few pop up on the forum from time to time.